Floriculture gets a boost

AHMEDNAGAR, JUNE 16: Rahuri-based Mahatma Phule Agricultural University has decided to undertake a pilot project to guide farmers to cult...

AHMEDNAGAR, JUNE 16: Rahuri-based Mahatma Phule Agricultural University has decided to undertake a pilot project to guide farmers to cultivate export quality flowers. The Western Maharashtra Statutory Development Board has assured the university of providing an assistance of about Rs three crore for the project, slated to be launched within three months.

The agricultural university has planned to undertake the project in view of the growing market for roses, marigold and other flowers in Pune, Mumbai and other cities as well as in foreign countries.

Vice-Chancellor Dr Subhash Puri said that the farmers will be trained to preserve the freshness and scent of flowers for a longer period.

Puri who took over as the vice-chancellor of the university last month said that the decision about the location for the implementation of the project has not been taken. He said that Pune or Nashik which fall in the jurisdiction areas of the agricultural university are likely to be chosen as the site for the pilot project.

Puri said that during the recent past, along with horticulture, floriculture has also gained importance in western Maharashtra. Some of the farmers who have learnt the art of management of floriculture are earning good profits while some are not even able to recover even the cultivation costs. Puri said that under the pilot project, research will be conducted to produce export quality flowers and then the findings of the research will be passed on the farmers. The farmers will also be trained about the sales management techniques, Puri added. The Vice-Chancellor added that initially, a spacious polihouse will be erected on a five acre land. On account of the university8217;s financial constraints, the university is planning to seek financial assistance of some private companies. Besides the polihouse, various other essential equipment will also be procured for the projec, it was statedt.

No fresh recruitment will be conducted for the project. Instead, services of the agricultural university8217;s scientists and other personnel will be utilised for the research and project activities, Puri said.